Sunday’s sole Premier League fixture is a particularly mouthwatering one, as title contenders Aston Villa and top-four outsiders Manchester United collide in the West Midlands.
The Lions are seeking a terrific
10th straight victory across all competitions this weekend, while the Red Devils endeavour to stretch their respectable unbeaten run to five games in the top flight.
Man United preserved their outstanding home record against Bournemouth – they are yet to lose a Premier League home match after going into the half-time break with the lead – but Ruben Amorim’s men let three separate advantages slip in an eight-goal extravaganza.
Scoring four goals in back-to-back games – after the demolition of Wolverhampton Wanderers – would ordinarily serve as hope for the immediate future, but with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo about to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations, pessimism may reign over optimism after a dreadful defensive performance.
Amorim’s men nevertheless remain within touching distance of the top four before the start of gameweek 17, and they have been nothing if not entertaining on the road of late, both scoring and conceding in each of their last six Premier League away matches.
Villa Park has often been a happy haunt for Man Utd too – their 18 Premier League wins at the ground is their second-most against a single opponent away from home in the competition behind Everton (19) – but Emery masterminded the Lions’ last victory over the Red Devils on home soil as recently as 2022.
From ex-Red Devils defenders to current Red Devils defenders, neither Matthijs de Ligt (back) nor Harry Maguire (thigh) will return just yet for the visitors, who are also missing AFCON-bound Noussair Mazraoui alongside Mbeumo and Diallo.
Diallo and Mazraoui’s absences open up a spot for Patrick Dorgu to return to the side, with Diogo Dalot shifting across to right wing-back, while Benjamin Sesko – recently back from a knee problem – should deputise for Mbeumo up front.
Amorim must also find solutions to Casemiro’s yellow-card suspension, so Kobbie Mainoo may belatedly earn a first Premier League start of the season, unless the manager throws a Manuel Ugarte-sized curveball.
Premier League Schedule
It’s an evening kickoff in the UK, which means a 3:00 p.m. kickoff on the East Coast of the U.S.
Premier League Channel
The match is on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. Those Stateside can watch on NBC or stream the patch on Peacock. In Canada, it’s on DAZN and Fubo.
Everyone else, head on over to LiveSoccerTV to find your viewing options.
Predicted Lineup
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Lammens; Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Dalot, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko
